James Woodforde (1740–1803)

The Revd James Woodforde, by his nephew Samuel Woodforde, RA [reproduced courtesy Weston PCC; photo Kiffy Stainer-Hutchins 2022]This website introduces a figure from the eighteenth century who shunned the limelight: the Revd James Woodforde (1740–1803).

This unassuming clergyman from the West Country eventually settled in rural Norfolk, on the east coast of England. Woodforde's life would be considered totally unremarkable and uneventful but for one thing. In almost daily entries he recorded the details of life in his circle and events further afield for more than 43 of his 62 years.

Despite his retiring lifestyle Woodforde became famous nationally and internationally when his diary began to be published 121 years after his death in 1803.

The Parson Woodforde Society

The Society was founded in 1968 by the Revd Canon Leslie Rule Wilson (1909–91). It may be said to have two main aims:

• to extend and develop knowledge of James Woodforde's life and the society in which he lived;
• to provide an opportunity for fellow enthusiasts to meet together from time to time in places associated with the diarist, and to exchange news and views.

The Society has produced a range of publications available for purchase.

To mark the centenary of Woodforde's first coming to public notice in 1924 the Society has uploaded the full text of his diary with editorial notes and indexes. These 5000 pages of transcription, in seventeen volumes, are available for view and download by members.

The Society's Journal: a resource available to all

A few of the Parson Woodforde Society's run of journals from 1968 onwards. All but the most recent editions are available for free viewing and download from the Journal page on this website.

James Woodforde's writings hold great appeal for the general reader as well as social historians. In 2023 the Society scanned all the editions of its Journal from the first issue in 1968. This long series of historical and literary studies is now available to read and to download as pdf files from the Journal page. Those Journals published in the most recent five-year period are accessible only to paid-up members of the Society.

James Woodforde's life and career

James Woodforde was born in Somerset on 16 June 1740, the son of the Rector of Ansford and Vicar of Castle Cary. He received his early education away from home as a boarder at two schools before moving to Winchester College as a boarder in 1752.

After spending the year 1758–59 at Oriel College, Oxford, he gained a scholarship at New College. On taking his degree he returned to Somerset, where he held various curacies. Following his father's death he was denied the chance of succeeding to the Somerset livings and returned to Oxford at the end of 1773 as a Fellow and Sub-warden of New College.

Woodforde's parish church: All Saints', Weston Longville, Norfolk, from the south-east [photo Margaret Bird 2011]In 1774 he obtained a college living at Weston now known as Weston Longville, in Norfolk. Here Woodforde lived as rector or parish priest until his death on 1 January 1803. He never married, and made fairly regular long visits to his family and friends in Somerset. His family circle meant a great deal to him, and his relatives play a prominent role in the diary.

In the early days the rector had the companionship of his nephew William Woodforde (1758–1844) until 'Nephew Bill' joined the Royal Navy; Bill is seen at the foot of this page, aged 45. Bill's sister Anna Maria (1757–1830), known to Woodforde as Nancy, then joined her uncle at the parsonage and stayed until his death.

He was also very fortunate to have a parsonage house at his disposal at a time when many had fallen into disrepair and were uninhabitable. He went into residence at the Weston rectory in April 1776 and served the parish faithfully until his health failed. Apart from his journeys to Somerset he remained at Weston until his death on New Year's Day 1803.
 

There is more about James Woodforde, his family and the value of his manuscript as a historical source on the Diary page and under People. You can view a series of objects associated with his life as links from the Features page.

Membership options

Details are on the Membership page.

• Standard membership includes the print versions of the Journal and the Newsletter sent by post three times a year.
• Alternatively, Digital membership is available at a reduced subscription rate.

The benefits of membership of the Society

The Parson Woodforde Society offers members: 'Frolickers' about to board a tour boat at Oulton Broad, Suffolk in September 2023 [photo Margaret Bird 2023]

• The Parson Woodforde Society Journal; this includes articles, literary and historical, about Woodforde and his extended circle. Print copies are sent by post and online versions are uploaded three times a year.
• The Society's Newsletter is issued three times a year. It is posted with the Journal, and is also available online in the Members' area for paid-up members.
• Full access to the Society's complete transcription of Woodforde's diary, in seventeen volumes, available for download from the Members' area.
• An annual 'Frolic' or expedition usually lasting three days. Recent frolics (the term used by the diarist for an entertainment) have been held at Wincanton in Somerset, in Norwich, at Lowestoft in Suffolk, in Bath, and at Woodforde's Oxford college. Members can read news of individual frolics in the Members' area.
• Access to a search facility for this website, located in the drop-down menu for the Members' area.

Membership of the Parson Woodforde Society is open to all those aged eighteen years and over, upon payment of a subscription. The Membership page gives information about joining the Society.

The Society is a Registered Charity (no. 1010807). It is affiliated to the Alliance of Literary Societies and is an Associate Member of the Family History Federation.